People who drink very hot tea may want to let it cool a bit before they sip. That is particularly true for anyone who smokes or drinks alcohol. Smokers and drinkers who also regularly imbibe scalding tea may be increasing their risk for esophageal cancer.

Studying the Risks of Scalding Tea:

The research followed nearly half a million Chinese adults for almost a decade (Yu et al, Annals of Internal Medicine, Feb. 6, 2018). Those who drank tea at least every week were asked whether their tea was room temperature, warm, hot or burning hot when they drank it.

Tea is a popular beverage in China, and drinking hot or burning hot tea alone did not increase the risk of esophageal cancer. But those who were also smokers had a 56 percent higher risk of esophageal cancer if they also drank scalding tea. People who drank hot or very hot tea and also consumed excessive alcohol, defined in the study as more than one beer, glass of wine or ounce and a half of hard liquor a day, increased their risk of esophageal cancer by 127 percent. People who smoked, drank alcohol and also drank scalding tea had five times the risk of this hard-to-treat cancer.

Previous Links Between Scalding Tea and Esophageal Cancer:

This study is observational, so it is not possible to attribute a cause and effect relationship. However, this is not the first time that drinking very hot tea has been linked to esophageal cancer. In 2016, the International Agency for Research on Cancer fingered hot beverages-over 149 degrees Fahrenheit-as probable carcinogens.

Moreover, in 2009, a review of research concluded that

“Coffee, tea and maté may cause esophageal cancer by causing thermal injury to the esophageal mucosa.”

Joy

NM

February 9, 2018 at 2:13 pm

BBBob

Amherst, NY

February 9, 2018 at 11:33 am

Thanks for the heads-up. We heard many years ago of this link between scalding beverages and cancer. For at least the past 40 years, my wife and I have had a cup of tea with lunch every day. We drink it reasonably hot, but not scalding or to the temperature that would approach pain or discomfort as we swallow. I drink mine with a teaspoonful of lemon juice and about a tablespoon of orange juice for more interesting flavor, while my wife drinks tea plain but somewhat weak. Neither of us is a smoker. With breakfast and dinner, we drink a cup of coffee (with milk).

Jan

February 9, 2018 at 5:21 am

My sisters mother in law used to drink her tea scalding hot, and died from oesophageal cancer. She did not smoke or drink much if any alcohol, and until she became ill walked several miles at a time in her sixties.

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About the Author

Terry Graedon, PhD, is a medical anthropologist and co-host of The People’s Pharmacy radio show, co-author of The People’s Pharmacy syndicated newspaper columns and numerous books, and co-founder of The People’s Pharmacy website. Terry taught in the Duke University School of Nursing and was an adjunct assistant professor in the Department of Anthropology. She is a Fellow of the Society of Applied Anthropology. Terry is one of the country's leading authorities on the science behind folk remedies. Read Terry's Full Bio.